Innovation Principal - Human Performance

At VF, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness, and authenticity.  So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture - visit VF Careers or www.vfc.com.  

What will you do? 

A day in the life of an Innovation Manager, Human Performance at VF looks a little like this. 

You will manage the day-to-day human performance testing and research projects that lead to new insights and technologies to improve athlete performance and reduce injury incidence across all VF brands in footwear, apparel, and equipment, with an initial strategic focus on footwear.

This position will independently lead biomechanics and physiology testing for VF innovation projects, including collecting, analyzing, and delivering findings with cross-functional teams in Product Creation, Design, Engineering, and Innovation during various phases of the product development process.

Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more. 

• Effectively translate research and testing findings through impactful visuals and clear summaries that connect complex data with athlete’s needs.
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• Provide project status updates to senior level executives and product creation teams with non-technical backgrounds to enable quick and actionable feedback and decisions.    
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• Partner with external testing and research projects with an industry network of academic leaders and VF testing partners as needed.
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• Participate and attend international conferences to ensure VF stays at the cutting edge of Human Performance.
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• Opportunity to create, build, and test your own functional prototypes for new and innovative concepts to transform the industry. Make, test, and learn will be at the heart of your role.

What do you need to succeed? 

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while the highest level of formal education in Sport Science is great to have, we are most interested in your experience leading applied research and testing in both the lab and field.

The foundation skills you will need in this position are: 

• Ph.D. with a background in Exercise Physiology and/or Exercise Science or an equivalent analytical field and 3+ years of relevant work experience or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training (e.g., Masters and 5+ years or Bachelors and 7+ years)  
• 3+ years of applied laboratory-based research experience working with physiology in endurance sports preferred.
• Advanced experience with study design, including collecting, recording, and analyzing data along with teaching, training, and presenting scientific principles to technical and nontechnical groups.
• Advanced experience working with human subject data collection in both lab and field environments (force plates / force treadmills, IMU’s, motion capture systems (optical, markerless, IMU), stationary metabolic carts / portable metabolic systems, pressure sensor systems, thermography, high speed video, etc.) required.
• Proficient Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint skills.
• Experience in coding to prep, analyze, and visualize data (Python, SQL, MATLAB, Qualtrics).
• Open minded personality with strong problem-solving skills, who is always up for a challenge in a fast-paced environment of changing circumstances outside of one’s own control.
• Ability to challenge the status quo, always looking at improving our lab’s equipment, methods, or processes when needed. 
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders with varying skills and perspectives.
• Curious, creative, and inventive mindset that is open to learning new skills outside of the lab to expand their knowledge of the industry and how they can better influence it.

Now WE have a question for YOU.  

Are you in? 

Hiring Range:

$129,600.00 USD - $162,000.00 USD annually

Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com  and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.

At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at [email protected]. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law.

Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.